Jim Marshall, Real Estate, Parry Sound
I have the wonderful opportunity to meet and photograph all kinds of amazing human beings.
While they are in studio, it is a privilege to learn about their businesses, or the work they do, their family, their interests, and hear a little bit about their story.
Jim Marshall started his real estate career in 1985 with an in-depth familiarity of the area and strong connections with both seasonal and year-round populations. His knowledge of the area is extensive, knowing where buy/build/sell your personal or business property, where launch a boat, and some of the best local fishing spots.
When not buying or selling property, Jim spends time with his wife, Kim, their three adults sons, and a recent addition, a grand-daughter.
Jim also completed a term as a Councillor for the Town of Parry Sound and Board Chair for the West Parry Sound Museum Board. Jim also is the past two-term President of the Parry Sound Real Estate Board and Past Director of the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) MLS® and Technology Committee.
Aside from real estate, music is a passion, and Jim is proficient at playing the piano and guitar.
What inspired you to get into real estate?
I decide to get into real estate halfway through my second-year university more of an afterthought than anything. I saw a Century-21 ad on television with a number of gold-jacketed agents lifting a house effortlessly into the air. I thought to myself, "I can do that", and the rest is history, so to speak and currently works with RE/MAX Parry Sound-Muskoka Realty LTD. 'RE/MAX" is short for Real Estate Maximums.
How have your priorities changed from when you first started?
When I started in 1985, realtors were more "salesmen" (that was the term at the time) and less professional advisors than we are now. We'd nail a sign on the property, take one photo, put it on MLS, and perhaps an ad or two in the local paper. Now, we're experts in marketing, legal matter, home staging, and social media, among other things. The bar is much higher now than it was in 1985.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
I would have joined a larger real estate office and surrounded myself with successful professionals much earlier in my career.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?
My biggest challenge was my age (20) and I looked like a 14-year-old. People like people who look and act experienced in my business, and I lacked both.
How do you define success?
Success to me is going to work every week and knowing that you're having a positive effect on peoples' lives.
What is keeping you up at night?
We end up sharing a lot of our clients' anxieties and frustrations in this business and take those worries home with us in the evening. One of the reasons why realtors have higher than average divorce and substance abuse rates.
Describe some of your key routines or habits that you have to keep you going?
I schedule EVERYTHING - tasks into our customer relationship management software, appointments into our calendar. Amazing that we used to run our business using paper daytimers (and that some people still do).
Do you, and/or, how do you find time to develop your creative process?
I make sure I have time during the week for my creative pursuits including making music, photography, and gardening. I watch very little TV (perhaps 4-5 hours a week in the summer) which allows lots of time for leisure activities.
What are some hard choices that you had to make to get where you are?
Some of the most difficult choices I've had to make in my life have come when I've had to let staff go or "fire" clients.
What book and/or podcast are you enjoying right now?
I recently finished James SA Corey's "The Expanse" series of books (loved them). I always have a book on the go and have read as many as 63 books a year; I drive a lot in my business and am able to leverage that time to listen to the audiobook version of the book I'm reading. Podcasts that are on my fav list include Terry O'Reilly's "Under the Influence, Science VS, and Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History"
What is one thing people would never guess about you?
That I'm a natural introvert. Most people assume I'm an extrovert, but many of my social skills are learned, not something I was born with.
What is one thing you wish people knew about you?
Probably that I'm more artistic/creative-minded than most people would ever guess. Most people see me as this hard-nosed real estate professional, ex municipal councillor, or whatever when in reality, I'm often at my happiest strumming a guitar and singing classic rock standards with friends.
Ten things you probably don’t know about Jim
- The 2nd born of four siblings.
- LOVES classic rock!
- Has seen Neil Young in concert four times.
- Real estate is the only career Jim has ever had, starting in the business as a 20-year-old.
- Jim starts every NHL season believing the Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to win the The Stanley Cup!
- Jim has visited every province in Canada, except Saskatchewan.
- Jim has researched branches of his family tree back 1000 years.
- His is a voracious reader, ploughing through 63 books in 2019.
- Bought his first house when he was 22.
- First car was a 1971 Cutlass Supreme.
Where can you find Jim?
Be sure to follow Jim here:
Peter Istvan Photography
Peter is a professional headshot photographer. Available in studio, or on location. Serving Parry Sound, Muskoka, Sudbury, North Bay, Barrie, Toronto, and surrounding areas. View pricing and scheduling.
